Darkstone Code

Mr. Jeruno’s decision to leave was quickly revealed.

Those who learned of this news did not spread it further.

Even the Federation’s President was aware, but he didn’t contact anyone to try to keep Mr. Jeruno, a direct member of the Duncan Clan, within the Federation’s borders. Instead, he accepted their departure as a fact.

Emotionally speaking, it’s obvious that keeping them would better align with the President’s own desires.

After being troubled by Mr. Jeruno for some time, not only is he unable to secure re-election, but he might also be ousted midway.

He should keep the Duncan Clan members and thoroughly investigate them, perhaps leading to many being executed or shot.

Yet, he didn’t take that route. Politically, letting them escape is the best option.

Once the Duncan Clan leaves, many problems can be blamed on them.

This also helps conceal more profound issues, like what if they were caught and revealed unknown information?

With the Duncan Clan’s infiltration of the Federation Government, it’s long been like a sieve, unguarded against them.

In such a scenario, perhaps more terrifying news has yet to emerge.

For instance, the President once accepted political donations from the Duncan Clan, not a substantial amount, just symbolically.

He accepted; so what about others?

Have the high-level members of both parties had deeper interactions with them?

Before the Duncan Clan’s decline in recent years, were there more behind-the-scenes deals between them and the Federation Government’s high-level members?

Are there also unspeakable secrets with elites and political figures from other countries?

If these secrets were exposed, it could lead to unimaginable consequences and trouble.

Especially if they involve potential diplomatic issues—should they be addressed or not?

One careless move could trigger further problems!

So, at this moment, Mr. Jeruno announcing his departure and not minding the leak is essentially admitting defeat and surrendering, declaring his exit.

Nobody will stop him.

The President won’t.

Neither will the chairmen of the bipartisan committees.

Not even the Director General or the Investigators from the FBI Headquarters!

No one will stop them from leaving!

The day after the news broke, Lynch proactively called all the shareholders of the United Development Company to convene a new round of shareholders’ meeting.

Those who have been following these developments readily responded to Lynch’s call.

In fact, even if Lynch didn’t initiate this shareholders’ meeting, others would have.

The Duncan Clan, the largest single shareholder, is about to fall, but what they’ve left behind will continue to exist.

These interests, this wealth, someone must take responsibility.

Otherwise, society will soon erupt into chaos, as it involves the livelihoods of millions of workers—no small issue.

The shareholders’ meeting took place at the headquarters in Bupen, but this time, Mr. Jeruno was nowhere to be seen.

At the meeting, Lynch was seated nearer to the front. As the initiator of the shareholders’ meeting and with Mr. Jeruno absent, no one objected to him moving forward.

Looking at the first row, which one of them was easy to mess with?

Behind each person was either a major financial clique or a large consortium!

This time, Drag also attended the shareholders’ meeting.

As the former Provincial Governor of Nagariel, his allegiance to the Federation allowed him to become a shareholder of the United Development Company.

While the shares weren’t considerable, they ensured he lived well in the Federation. If it weren’t for his short "naturalization" period, he would have leveraged his shares to join high society.

No matter; although he doesn’t have the opportunity, his grandchildren do.

Born and raised in the Federation, with maternal local capital influences, they can inherit family resources and become the Federation’s new elite.

After more than a year of once again seeing Lynch, Drag had nothing but admiration, realizing the gap between them.

He was so young, standing out conspicuously amid a group of middle-aged and elderly individuals.

This distinction also made him realize the distance between himself and Lynch.

Once everyone arrived, Lynch stood up.

Previously, it was always Mr. Jeruno or someone beside him who spoke, but this time it was Lynch, which drew the focus of all shareholders—some knew what had happened, others didn’t.

But it didn’t matter; the purpose of today’s shareholders’ meeting was to let them understand precisely what transpired!

Lynch’s expression was serious, "Esteemed shareholders, representatives, I apologize for suddenly convening everyone in this cold winter."

"If you’ve been following recent Federation public opinion, you surely know what’s going on!"

He paused for a moment, letting others think, as not everyone was bright-minded.

After a few seconds, Lynch continued, "Due to allegations of horrific crimes, the Duncan Clan is no longer fit to hold key positions on the United Development Company’s board. In light of these events, I once more urge the shareholders’ meeting to reclaim all Duncan Clan shares as per company rules."

"This is the first item of the agenda for today’s meeting..."

Mr. Wardrick, Mr. Pato, and others sat quietly; they showed no reaction to Lynch’s speech, but neither did they oppose it.

This signified a consensus among the company’s upper management; this was simply a formality, a procedure!

While there were fools here, there weren’t many.

If Lynch could speak those words, it signified the motion could only pass, not fail.

People began exchanging messages and opinions with their eyes. Lynch gave everyone about five minutes, then continued, "If there’s nothing more, we can begin the vote..."

Generally speaking, a shareholders’ meeting mainly serves to vote, discuss, or gain insights into the company’s actual management situation and interfere with board member adjustments.

Lynch’s voting proposal fell within the shareholder meeting’s charter.

The Secretariat began distributing voting cards; the Federation people value freedom and justice, so the shareholders’ meeting vote includes a ceremonial process.

Actually, calling it ceremonial is oversimplified; it serves to ensure firm and valid evidence.

Otherwise, someone agreeing verbally but disagreeing behind closed doors becomes problematic.

A blue card bore the voting content, with two boxes below: one for agree, the other for disagree.

All one needed to do was check the box. Checking both or leaving them blank amounted to abstention.

With the end of the live vote counting, the people agreeing exceeded sixty-seven percent, excluding the Duncan Clan’s shares, signifying the shareholders’ meeting resolution passed—

It’s not that the Duncan Clan didn’t vote; Mr. Jeruno wasn’t present, nor did he send a representative, so they were counted as abstentions.

Abstentions aren’t part of the calculated tally.

Lynch didn’t display much joy or dissatisfaction with the outcome, keeping a typical demeanor.

He then moved on to the next agenda item.

"It seems everyone’s reached a consensus regarding the Duncan Clan’s conduct, which I vehemently abhor!"

"Keeping such people in the company is a tremendous insult to us, society, and all Federation citizens!"

"I’m pleased everyone chose to stand on the side of justice. Following the rules, we’ll now begin discussing the redistribution of these shares."

Lynch looked at those in the first row; none voiced objections.

This was their desire; everyone hopes for more benefits—such is capitalism.

They won’t discuss integrity and morals unless it’s favorable for them at specific times.

Most times, they’re simple; their code values profitability above all else!

The United Development Company has become a monstrous entity. Though it doesn’t seem overwhelmingly powerful, its actual size is staggering.

The Duncan Clan’s holdings are the largest among individual shares. With these shares up for grabs, even Lynch might struggle to absorb them all, alongside others vying for or conceding them, so a solution is required.

These concerns shouldn’t lead to small shareholders being bankrupted by large shareholders again, right?!

In Bupen, when large shareholders don’t gain small shareholders’ support, the simplest solution is to replace small shareholders.

They only need to bankrupt them.

Large shareholders won’t acquire too many small shareholders’ stocks; frequently, small shareholders bear significant responsibility, such as occasionally shouldering losses for large shareholders.

The discussion didn’t take long, as Lynch proposed a solution: redistribute the freed shares based on current ownership.

If someone can’t handle these shares, they can transfer them to others.

In reality, not all shareholders in this meeting are free to buy and sell shares.

For instance, Drag’s transactions, whether buying or selling, aren’t solely his decision!

This isn’t an exception; it’s quite common.

Those truly able to maneuver their shares freely are the big shareholders.

So ultimately, those shares will still end up with the big shareholders.

Small shareholders dare not contest, fearing offending a significant person, leading to their company’s mysterious collapse.

The current situation is relatively good. Even if big shareholders hold more shares, it won’t disrupt the current balance...